I'm sorry to see this discussion end this way. My gut tells me this is just a difference of terminology. Neurotic is such a blanket term that it can be used for just about any anxiety or phobia. I tend to think of it as a state of uncertainty and constant questioning, and in that sense, some INFJs are just prone to be neurotic.

And Bethy, I appreciate your insight but when you use your own inductive reasoning to make your case and then accuse others of using unfounded generalizations; it is nothing more that a pot calling a kettle black.

Sigh...this is exactly what happens when people get emotionally invested in the MBTI. It's always best to remember it's only theory. All we are doing is making speculations in an attempt to explain patterns we may notice within the products of that theory.

The original question of this thread was whether or not there is a connection between anxiety and personality type. From what I have observed and read, I think different types are prone to different types of anxiety. I also think different types would probably express their anxiety in different ways. I've noticed some extroverted types can become rather manipulative and will even try to twist facts in their favor when they become frustrated in a situation. Introverts will tend to withdraw or avoid the situation, or even attempt to ignore it even though it continues to cause them distress. Also, I think more extroverted types will tend to openly express anxiety, whereas introverted types will usually hide or suppress their anxiety.

I guess I don't personally view myself or my friends I was speaking of as 'neurotic'. I see us as all as functional, very emotionally aware, rather complicated, nuanced people. However, we are prone to some of the things that were called out earlier in this thread.

Does this mean ALL INFJ's experience this?? No. There just might be more of a correlation, that's all. Or, maybe not.

However, other types might view my tendencies, and thoughts, as 'neurotic', simply because they don't experience them themselves, and can't relate to it.

For what it's worth, I think *everyone* out there is neurotic in one way or another -- just in different ways. I guess I take the word with a grain of salt, because if someone points out all of my 'neurotic' tendencies, I'd easily be able to point out their disfunctional tendencies. Theirs would simply be different from mine.

So EVERYONE has things they're trying to work on, or 'issues' -- that's what I'm trying to say. I'm not trying to point fingers at anyone, and I don't think that was the intent of this thread.

This is why I brought up my mom as an example. She doesn't seem to have any of the trains of thought that I have, but one could argue she's much less functional in the world than I, because she's SO worried about nearly everything - things that I wouldn't be worried about. So I think the point is more that we all have our own issues/battles that we're fighting.

My friends and I are all in all quite happy with our lives, and 'successful'. But we also acknowledge that we are prone to depression at times -- just 'sad thoughts'. We don't sit there, but we're more prone to them, for sure, than my friends' husband, who is an ExTP. He can't relate whatsoever to my friend getting down every so often.

It's just something I've come to learn about myself - yes, I get 'down' every now and then. Yes, I am prone to anxiety about myself. But I have learned enough that so far I don't sit in that place indefinitely.

I also personally don't view every personality quirk as having something to do with mbti. I think there's a lot going on, that's outside of mbti.

But there also could be correlations, and I think the initial 'point'/question of the thread was to just explore those possible correlations.

Hm, I certainly think INFJs are very prone to anxiety disorders. In my opinion it is because so many INFJs can't control their Ni. INTJs on the other hand filter it through Te, which controls the realism in the outputs of Ni.

It is actually quite interesting to notice just how big the differences are between INTJs and INFJs when it comes to emotional stability. This is not directly measured by MBTI, but INTJs are known for their confidence, and I would guess most in here would say it is one of the most emotionally stable types. The INFJ type on the other hand, is possibly the most neurotic of all the types. I might be biased though, as I live with a highly neurotic INFJ mom.

This can be true until the INTJ is pushed past their boundary of personal control. When the systems they create break down, or when confronted with abuse and unsolvable problems during their development, their tertiary Fi can be a very dark place indeed. I have known INTJ is this type of trauma to experience panic attacks and intense insomnia.

I do agree that on a day-to-day basis, status quo, they tend to be stable and consistent in their behavior. But trauma of various sorts can bring out a strong schism between their Ni-Te and their Fi-Se. Sometimes the INFJ can be surprisingly put together during sudden trauma...

Originally Posted by typelogic.com

...INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden. They often are found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute distress...

As an INFJ I also struggle daily with anxiety and depression. I am also tough in a way that many people are not. I describe myself as a weeble-wobble. It is pretty easy to throw me off balance, but nearly impossible to knock me over. My emotional tolerance is way beyond most of the NTs I know. This is because I deal with confronting fears on a daily basis. Don't underestimate just how much strength a person can develop from that much practice.

Step into my metaphysical room of mirrors. Fear of reality creates myopic moralitySo I guess it means there is trouble until the robins come
(from Blue Velvet)

This can be true until the INTJ is pushed past their boundary of personal control. When the systems they create break down, or when confronted with abuse and unsolvable problems during their development, their tertiary Fi can be a very dark place indeed. I have known INTJ is this type of trauma to experience panic attacks and intense insomnia.

I do agree that on a day-to-day basis, status quo, they tend to be stable and consistent in their behavior. But trauma of various sorts can bring out a strong schism between their Ni-Te and their Fi-Se. Sometimes the INFJ can be surprisingly put together during sudden trauma...

This is probably the most balanced comment I've seen in the INTJ/INFJ comparison here.

Also, if I had to say it, INTJs are much more prone to piss off others than INFJs are. Fe really is a help, not a hindrance; the INFJs I've know IRL (all females ) have been among the most mature people I've known. Very stable on the surface, put together, self-controlled, seemingly sure of themselves, personable and likable even if a little hard to decipher sometimes in terms of their underlying thoughts on something. (That Fe veneer seems to leave their "inner" self in some amount of mystery.)

But at the same time, when alone, INFJ could become quirky or absorbed in inner doubts and self-deprecation and the whole works... even neurotic.

I'm glad most of this thread was INFJs just critiquing themselves, since that probably helped ease most of the tension that can arise in discussions like this.

"Hey Capa -- We're only stardust." ~ "Sunshine"

“Pleasure to me is wonder—the unexplored, the unexpected, the thing that is hidden and the changeless thing that lurks behind superficial mutability. To trace the remote in the immediate; the eternal in the ephemeral; the past in the present; the infinite in the finite; these are to me the springs of delight and beauty.” ~ H.P. Lovecraft

ESxx I'd have thought were the worst with ESTx being the worst of them all. Repressed emotions, repressed capacity to look at oneself honestly. It's all got to lead to little neurotic traits.

I'd have thought that N would eliminate more than it creates as it gives context to these things making them easier to deal with as they are no longer in isolation and I'd suspect that an introvert would be more able to deal with themselves and hence deal with any neurotic elements.

I hate being the "focus" of a big group...

Originally Posted by prplchknz

I think I may have one. I get panic attacks and hate being in front of people or being force to talk to someone I don't know, about something I don't want to. The whole idea of drawing attention to me and the whole room looking at me terrifies me. I'm not sure.

I have had this problem all of my life. :horor: My boss, however, forced me to do get out of my "comfort zone" and after 3-years, I can now stand in front of people without feeling faint. It took me a long time, though. I do, at least, want a day's notice, so that I can prepare myself mentally.

Thankfully, I have never had a panic attack. I also can talk to someone I don't know, but I rarely am the instigator of the discussion.

-Sandy I - 75% N - 55% F - 55% P - 61%Enneagram 4w5

There is love... in the red lettersThere is truth... in the red letters

I have had this problem all of my life. :horor: My boss, however, forced me to do get out of my "comfort zone" and after 3-years, I can now stand in front of people without feeling faint. It took me a long time, though. I do, at least, want a day's notice, so that I can prepare myself mentally.

Thankfully, I have never had a panic attack. I also can talk to someone I don't know, but I rarely am the instigator of the discussion.

You know how some people make you nervous? One of my teachers does I don't know why but I blush whenever I speak up in the class, all my other classes I'm fine in. One of the major grades is to give a presentation I'm thinking of withdrawing. I have no clue how I'm going to talk in front of the class, especially since i can't talk in the class.